Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

The 2017 e-Golf gives you the performance and design that have made the gas model a go-to choice for Volkswagen fans, but you'll have to deal with a shorter range than what competitors offer.

11 Oct 2017Doug Newcomb

When most car companies build an electric vehicle (EV), they usually take one of two approaches: start with an entirely new platform or reconfigure an existing one to run on battery power only. Among smaller EVs, the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt are clean-slate examples, while the Fiat 500e, Kia Soul EV, and Volkswagen e-Golf represent the retrofit approach.

From the outside, the 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf looks like the gasoline version of the familiar hatchback, except for a few subtle trim touches. Inside, the EV's lithium-ion battery pack is tucked beneath the front and rear seats so that the vehicle has passenger room and cargo capacity identical to the standard four-door version. VW upgraded the e-Golf's EPA estimated range to 125 miles on a single charge, but that's still far short of the Chevy Bolt's nearly 250 miles on a single charge. And like most EVs, the e-Golf is only available in several West and East Coast states.

Pricing and Design

The 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf four-door hatchback comes in three trim levels: SE, Limited, and SEL Premium. All come with an AC motor that produces a maximum of 134 horsepower and driven by a lithium-ion battery pack with an overall capacity of 35.8kWh. Power is sent to the front wheels via a single-speed transmission. The EPA's estimated range of 125 miles per full charge can be extended depending on driving style and is augmented by four different regenerative braking levels and by using the Eco and Eco+ drive modes.

The SE base model comes with a 3.6kW charger that requires about seven hours to completely charge a depleted battery when connected to a 240-volt Level 2 charging source. The Limited and SEL come with an upgraded 7.2kW charger that can top off a depleted battery in just four hours. All models come with a 120-volt charger that takes about 20 hours to charge a fully depleted battery. The Limited and SEL also come with a Level 3 DC fast-charge port that allows rapid recharging—80 percent in 30 minutes—at commercial fast-charging stations.

The SE starts at $30,495 and comes with such standard exterior features as 16-inch alloy wheels with low-rolling-resistance tires, automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, an energy-efficient electric windshield defroster with rain sensor and heated washer nozzles, power-adjustable and body-colored heated side mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, and exclusive e-Golf bumpers, grille intakes, and trim.

Standard technology features include the Car-Net telematics system, Bluetooth for phone and audio, a 6.5-inch touch screen as part of the MIB II infotainment system, smartphone integration, and an eight-speaker audio system with USB and aux-in ports, an SD card reader, AM/FM HD and satellite radio, and a CD player.

Our test car also had several driver assists that were lumped together as a $1,395 option, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian monitoring, blind spot detection, auto high beams, semi-automated parallel parking, and a digital instrument cluster. With an $850 destination charge, the final sticker cost was $39,240.

The 2017 e-Golf has the classic shape of its gasoline cousin, and the only indications that it's an EV are its special bumpers, unique wheels and trim, and a shuttered grille. Similarly, blue accents and a power display that replaces the tachometer are the only interior cues that this is the EV version of the Golf.

Interface and Connectivity

The Discovery head unit is similar in layout to the MIB II infotainment interface we've seen in other VWs, but has a larger 8-inch touch screen. This means it's even easier to operate on the fly and read info at a glance. Like in the VW Beetle Dune we tested last year, the e-Golf's interface uses proximity sensors that highlight existing icons or cause new ones to appear as a hand reaches for the screen. While the information that appears can be somewhat redundant, hiding it until it's needed keeps the screen uncluttered.

The 8-inch display is also used to keeps tabs on the myriad EV functions, such as an energy monitor, brake-regeneration rates, and setting up various charging parameters. The display also accesses a very helpful Think Blue menu that shows a Blue Score that rates your driving efficiency on a scale of 0 to 100, the average kilowatts of energy consumed, and a host of fuel-saving tips.

Because Volkswagen was late to the connected infotainment game, it wisely skipped developing its own smartphone integration system in favor of what it calls Car-Net App. This is a fancy name for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Nokia's little-known (and used) MirrorLink. The e-Golf relies entirely on these third-party platforms (and your device's data) for cloud-based content such as streaming music apps, and leverages their music, messaging, phone, and navigation functions.

The e-Golf SEL Premium we tested has its own navigation system, but without connected search or even a charging station finder function. It does have connectivity via the subscription-based SiriusXM Travel Link for info on fuel prices (which is useless in the e-Golf), traffic, weather, movies, and more. Also included is VW's Car-Net telematics service with automatic crash notification, roadside assistance, remote vehicle access, stolen vehicle location, and more.

Performance and Conclusions

True to the model's pedigree, the e-Golf retains the smooth handling that has made the car popular with enthusiasts, thanks to the low center of gravity provided by the floor-mounted battery array. For the 2017 model, the electric motor has been boosted from 24.2kWh to 35.8kWh and horsepower is upped from 115 to 134.

The e-Golf's electric motor delivers instant and impressive torque from a standstill and acceleration is smooth due to the no-shift, direct-drive powertrain, but acceleration quickly hits a peak and flattens out. And while the e-Golf's acceleration is not as compelling as on the petrol model, it's competitive with other EVs. The driving dynamics are similar to the regular Golf, but a tad better given the balanced weight of the battery pack.

The e-Golf offers Normal driving mode as well as Eco or Eco+ modes that tone down performance to extend battery range. It's unique in that it also provides four different levels of regenerative braking to help stretch range.

Several small EVs are now available. The Chevy Bolt, which with its incredible 200-mile-plus range, is the ruler of the small-EV roost, and our Editors' Choice. But if you want a small EV that offers dynamic performance, good interior room, and comes loaded with more standard features that most competitors—and can live with a shorter range—the 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf is worth teeing up for a test drive—if you can track one down.

2017 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium

good

Bottom Line: The 2017 e-Golf gives you the performance and design that have made the gas model a go-to choice for Volkswagen fans, but you'll have to deal with a shorter range than what competitors offer.

About the Author

Doug Newcomb is a recognized expert on the subject of car technology within the auto industry and among the automotive and general media, and a frequent speaker at automotive and consumer electronics industry events. Doug began his career in 1988 at the car stereo trade publication Mobile Electronics, before serving as editor of the leading consumer magazines covering the topic, Car Audio and Electronics and Car Stereo Review/Mobile Entertainment/Road & Track Road Gear, from 1989 to 2005. In 2005 Doug started his own company, Newcomb Communications & Consulting, to provide content to such outlets as Road & Track, Popular Mechanics, MSN Autos, SEMA News, and many others. In 2008, he ... See Full Bio